Stirling started football when she was 11 and played for Waikato and Northern in the national league.
She joins David Martin-Chambers on the coaching staff of the women's team, and hopes to blend her talent with the Englishman's extensive professional experience gained from clubs in the United Kingdom.
The Football South women have been training hard but good-quality opposition is difficult to arrange locally for practice matches and, in many ways, tomorrow's match against Northern will be a cold start.
A measure of the task ahead is the fact that when Football South beat a New Zealand development side last season, it was the team's first win in several years.
While most football games begin from a level starting point, Martin-Chambers believes six years of match-day disappointments have taken a heavy toll, adding a steep mental hurdle his players have to clear even before the technical and tactical battles can begin.
However, the coaches feel that this season's relatively new squad has enough talent to compete at national level and will gain experience as the season progresses.
They will build on the pedigree of Football Fern Hanna English and experienced players such as Shontelle Smith, Elise Mamanu-Gray, Alex McIntosh and Jordyn Walker, while keeper Tessa Nicol has impressed.
New Zealand Football women's development manager Maia Jackman, a former winner of the competition, says the league provides an opportunity for New Zealand's best players to show their talent.
Teams from the seven regional federations are represented, along with a New Zealand Football development team.
Mainland Pride is the defending champion.
The Southern United youth side is in action today, against Hawkes Bay United, in Napier at noon.
Coach Kevin Scoullar had an encouraging start to the season last week when the side drew 0-0 with champion Auckland City, and he is keen to build on that impressive result.
Football South women v Northern women
Tahuna Park, tomorrow, 1pm.
Football South: Tessa Nicol, Samantha Williams, Hanna English, Holly Johnstone, Jordyn Walker, Kelsey Kennard, Shontelle Smith, Maryann Cant, Alex McIntosh, Theresa Rhein, Coaral Seath, Laura Phillips, Tabitha Seaton, Jenna Ready, Kate Guildford, Sammy Murrell, Elise Mamanu-Gray, Jessie Clark-Grant, Sasha Ritchie, Jade Middleditch, Megan Walker, Alex Clark-Grant, Nicola Britten, Holy Van der Salm.
